Global HVAC System Requirements: How Climate And Regulations Shape Cleanroom Design

Globally, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have become a core component of various building and cleanroom projects. Climate conditions, energy policies, and regulatory standards vary significantly across countries and regions, directly impacting the design and application of Air Handling Units (AHU). Whether in hospital operating rooms, pharmaceutical factories, or electronics manufacturing plants, Industrial Air Handling Units are crucial for maintaining air quality and a stable environment.

Why do air handling unit requirements vary so significantly across regions?

Climate factors play a key role

• Cold regions (such as Northern Europe and Russia) require strong heating capacity and heat recovery to ensure stable indoor temperatures.

• Hot and humid regions (such as Southeast Asia and southern China) prioritize dehumidification and cooling to prevent bacterial growth and moisture buildup in the equipment.

• Dry, hot regions (such as the Middle East) require efficient cooling systems with appropriate humidification to maintain air comfort.

• Temperate regions (such as Japan and Central Europe) require balanced heating and cooling, with systems emphasizing energy efficiency and flexibility.

Thus, selecting the right industrial air handling unit requires careful consideration of the project's climate. Otherwise, energy consumption and cleanliness performance will be impacted.

Regulatory and industry standards constrain

• Europe requires compliance with EN standards and the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, emphasizing the integration of renewable energy.

• China requires compliance with GB standards, with clear cleanliness requirements, particularly in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors.

During the project planning stage, customers usually require a detailed Air Handling Unit Description to confirm whether the equipment performance meets local regulations and industry requirements.

The Critical Role of Air Handling Units in Cleanrooms

For cleanrooms, air must not only be "clean" but also "stable." This is precisely the value of industrial air handling units.

Multi-Level Filtration and Air Supply Control

How Does an Air Handling Unit Work?

• Air Filtration: Primary, medium, and even high-efficiency filters purify the air in stages, removing dust and microorganisms.

• Heating and Cooling: Air passes through coils, heating or cooling it to maintain a stable temperature.

• Humidity Control: Humidification or dehumidification is added as needed to maintain a constant humidity level.

• Supply and Return Air: Treated air is evenly delivered to target areas and recirculated through the return air system.

These steps not only ensure air quality but also maintain pressure differentials through precise airflow management to prevent cross-contamination.

Integrating Energy Saving with Green Buildings

Modern industrial air handling units are commonly equipped with heat recovery modules, which recycle energy from exhaust air, significantly reducing operating costs. This is particularly important for hospitals and factories that operate for extended periods of time.

Air Handling Unit Requirements in Different Industries

Medical Industry

Operating rooms and ICUs have extremely high air cleanliness requirements. Not only must they meet temperature and humidity requirements, but they must also maintain positive pressure to prevent outside air from entering. In hospital projects in the US and Europe, the Air Handling Unit Description details air volume, filtration level, and energy consumption to ensure regulatory compliance.

Pharmaceutical and Laboratory

In pharmaceutical and biological laboratories, air cleanliness directly determines whether the production environment is compliant. GMP standards in different countries specify specific design details for industrial air handling units, such as temperature and humidity fluctuation ranges, air change rates, and HEPA filtration levels.

Electronics and Industrial Manufacturing

In chip factories and precision manufacturing workshops, even the smallest particles in the air can affect product quality. For these customers, understanding how an air handling unit works is not just theoretical; it's essential to ensuring production yields.

Issues Customers Should Consider When Selecting an Air Handling Unit

• Regional Compatibility: Whether the unit can meet heating, cooling, or dehumidification needs in the local climate.

• Regulatory Compliance: Whether it complies with industry standards such as ASHRAE, EN, and GB.

• Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs: Whether the energy-saving design can help reduce energy consumption in the long term.

• Detailed Technical Description: Read the comprehensive Air Handling Unit Description to ensure transparent parameters and avoid future operational risks.

• Maintenance and Upgrade: Excellent maintainability and expandability facilitate future upgrades or replacements.

Amber is a professional team with more than 17 years of experience in the clean room industry. We have served more than 120 countries and more than 1,500 cases. If you have any questions about purification projects and equipment, please contact us.